Amazing Ensemble "Bagatitsa" is one of the best Cossack dance groups in the world. Exciting Cossack songs and dances, the energy and humor, amazing Cossack costumes, high quality of performance bring joy to every person in the audience. This is proved by extreme popularity of Cossack shows in Russia and abroad. Cossack show "Bagatitsa" is really brilliant example of Russian dancing, music and singing. Ensemble is performing traditional Cossack Russian dances with acrobatic tumbles, split jumps, breathtaking spins and leaps! Enthusiasm for their own cultural heritage is the main motivation and driving force behind the superb performances of the members of this company. Their show portrays the Cossacks’ courage and tells the fascinating tales of fame and honour, war and love with costumes, movement and song. The Russian Cossacks were fearless warriors on horseback yet their energy and love of life found complete expression in the old traditions with song and dance. Cossack Ensemble "Bagatitsa" carefully keeps and successfully presents centuries-old traditions of the great nation.

Russian Cossacks Dance Ensemble
"Bagatitsa" preserves the four centuries of folk art of the Cossack peoples. The
Ensemble reproduces the ethnic songs and dances of the region in their original
form. Songs painstakingly selected from an immense historical catalog accompany
dances that range from explosively energetic to gracefully elegant.

Cossack Dance Ensemble
"Bagatitsa" is widely acknowledged as Russia's best Cossack dance troupe. This
world-class company of the orchestra, singing dancers and dancing chorus brings
with it a dynamic and breathtaking production that will both dazzle and delight
theatregoers through amazing feats of highly skilled, acrobatic Cossack
dance!

Cossack Dance Ensemble
"Bagatitsa" took the first prize at the International Festival "FolkFest", had
concert tours through many cities such as Sweden, Spain, Czech Republic,
Estonia, Finland, enjoyed a tremendous success in the UK and were televised by
the BBC.

Renowned for their strength
and athleticism, the Russian Cossack Dance Ensemble "Bagatitsa" dance with
vigour, sparkle and spontaneity, but behind each performance lies many hours of
strenuous rehearsals and strong self-discipline, all under the watchful eye of
their Artistic Director, Tatyana Fominyh. It is the dedication to
professionalism in performance, and to perfectionism in costume, music, in fact
every detail, that has brought the company their continued success and
international acclaim.

Unrivalled in their field,
the Russian Cossack Dance Ensemble "Bagatitsa" captivate audiences with the
ultimate in folklore presentation. Theirs is a truly remarkable performance,
rich in energy, passion and excitement that will leave lasting memories of a
truly remarkable evening's entertainment.

The Cossacks fiery dances
and elaborate costumes are as true and honest as the souls of their country
folk. The highlight of this spectacular show is the Great Cossack Dance for
which special sabres have been made of titanium, ensuring sparks really do
fly.

The word "Cossack"
originally meant nomad horseman, or "freebooter". From the time of Genghis Khan,
mounted bands had been roaming the undulating plain to the north of the Caspian
and Black Seas. From the fifteenth century onwards, the Moscow Grand Dukes are
known to have hired some of them to protect the southern and eastern marches
against their kinsmen and other invaders.

But the Tatar Cossacks were soon joined by
vast numbers of runaway peasants from Muscovite Russia and Polish Ukraine. They
were hunters, fishermen and pastoralists by day and remained ever ready to take
up arms for a sudden raid or a longer campaign.

The Volga and other
waterways were important arteries of communication, sources of sustenance, and
providers of refuge. The Zaporozhian settlement on the Dnepr was one of their
first fortresses, colorfully caught in the epic canvas of llya Repin, depicting
members of the 'circle' writing a mocking letter to the Turkish Sultan. Later,
groups of Cossacks were formed on the Don, the Volga and further afield,
eventually even in the Far East along the Amur and Ussuri running into the
Pacific Ocean.

The Hopak, also known as
Cossack dancing, originated in southern Russia and Ukrainian military
communities in the 1600s. When the Cossacks would return from battle, the men
would celebrate through this improvised dance. Community musicians would gather
their instruments, including violins, bagpipes and flute-like fifes, and join
the others in a celebratory performance named the hopaky. As a way to celebrate,
these ordinary military men would begin dancing and re-enacting their battle
scenes for the community to see. They began pantomiming using their swords and
other weapons, as local musicians would join them in their dance. The men then
began to improvise, performing acrobatics in the air as well as other masculine
moves such as squats in order to prove their manliness and heroism. This style
of movement is what gave this dance the name Hopak, being derived from the
Ukraine verb “hopaty” meaning to jump.

Cossack dance is famous all
over the world for its unrivalled energy and high spirits. Vivid colours,
audacious movement, enthusiasm and joy, catchy tunes and authentic costumes are
unforgettable.

Lively Cossack songs, music
and dancing handed down through generations in addition to authentic, hand-made
national costumes make their performances very traditional in content, yet with
a refreshing and modern twist. Dancers are filled with contagious enthusiasm,
which creates a thrilling atmosphere. They guarantee that at times you will find
it hard to sit still!